to establish the statutory office of National Children’s Commissioner in the Australian Human Rights Commission to: promote awareness and discussion of issues affecting children; conduct research and education programs; consult directly with children and representative organisations; and examine Commonwealth legislation, policies and programs that relate to children’s human rights.

Implements Australia’s obligations under three Measures adopted under Article IX of the Antarctic Treaty and Article 9 of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) by amending the

Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980

to: amend the long title of the Act; provide for the minister to grant safety and environmental protection approvals and impose conditions on such approvals; implement new offences and civil penalties; establish a liability regime for environmental emergencies in the Antarctic; establish an Antarctic Environmental Liability Special Account; and make technical amendments.

Introduced with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Bill 2011, the bill: determines the arrangements and timings for the transfer of existing renewable energy technology projects from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Australian Solar Institute Limited (ASI) to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA); enables the deregistration of ASI and the abolition of the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy Board; and provides for the early appointment of the first Chief Executive Officer of ARENA by the minister. Also makes consequential amendments to the proposed

Introduced with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011, the bill establishes the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as a statutory body responsible for the funding and administration of existing renewable energy funding and technology innovation projects currently administered by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Australian Solar Institute Limited, and provides for ARENA’s governance and financial arrangements.